CN101319739B

CN101319739B - Strongback traveling clamp

Info

Publication number: CN101319739B
Application number: CN200810125112.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: B·M·凯特亨利; R·K·康南; W·J·威尔逊; K·P·扎林格; M·巴赛特; M·T·小亚力山大; R·S·黑特坎普
Original assignee: J Ray McDermott SA
Current assignee: J Ray McDermott SA
Priority date: 2007-06-08
Filing date: 2008-06-10
Publication date: 2012-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2028-06-10
Also published as: CA2632426C; AU2008202221B2; CN101319739A; US20080304938A1; AU2008202221A1; BRPI0801681A2; EP2014965A2; EP2014965A3; CA2632426A1; MY149275A; MX2008007230A; BRPI0801681B1; SG148947A1

Abstract

A modified strongback for laying pipeline offshore that utilizes a movable clamp. One end of the strongback is modified to include a travel mechanism. A pipe clamp is mounted on the travel mechanism to allow movement of the clamp as necessary to accommodate different pipe joint lengths. A mechanism for locking the clamp in the desired position is provided on the strongback.

Description

Strongback traveling clamp

Technical field

The present invention relates to the offshore pipeline installation apparatus, and relate more specifically to be used for the equipment of treated length than long pipeline.

Background technique

Almost lay the offshore pipeline utilization vertically and be used for handling special device than long pipeline (pipe coupling).U. S. Patent 5,421,675 and 5,464,307 relate to a kind of equipment that is used for almost laying vertically offshore pipeline, and provide pipe laying to operate the explanation of needed treatment step.Almost tubing needs and can pick up pipe coupling and it is moved into almost vertical position so that it is added on the pipeline of installing from horizontal position vertically.This equipment is aimed at pipe coupling with pipeline, thereby pipe coupling is welded on the pipeline.Existing apparatus uses position shelf, and the triangular framing that normally has a clamping element comes the clamping pipe coupling and it is moved on in the tower that is used to be welded on the pipeline.According to the laying device device, in welding step, can use position shelf or tower that pipe coupling is held in place.

For pipe coupling and pipeline coaxial alignment are welded, but the clamping element in radial regulation position shelf or the tower.

In the past, at the manufacturing equipment place four 40 feet pipe section being welded together on the coast is the gage length of a pipe coupling.Clamping element on the position shelf is in and aims on the isolated fixed position of pipe coupling of handling this length.Make the pipe coupling of the institute's requested number that is used for pipeline work on the coast, be loaded on the barge, and be transported to the pipe laying device as requested, do in the limit pipe coupling to be added on the pipeline in laying.

Variation to requirements for pipes has recently caused pipe coupling length that variation has taken place.The result is the end that the existing standard clamping element that separates on the position shelf can not the clamping pipe joint and is provided at desired supporting on the whole length of pipe coupling.

Almost vertical tower in some pipe laying units uses retaining member around the pipeline, and retaining member moves along pipeline axial, is used for after pipe coupling is welded on the pipeline, unclamping the purpose that pipeline or align with tube joint weld.But the claimant do not recognize and solve to use the change of any position shelf that different pipe coupling length need to allow on laying device, to use single position shelf, and no matter how many present variations of pipe coupling is.The single pipe coupling that should be kept in mind that steel pipe possibly weigh several tons (diameter and the wall thickness that depend on steel pipe).Therefore, the position shelf and the relevant device that are used to handle pipeline are huge, heavier and expensive, and should have multiple function most economical effective pipe laying device and equipment are provided.

Summary of the invention

The present invention proposes a kind of improved, position shelf of using removable clamping element.One end of position shelf is modified into and comprises walking mechanism.The pipeline clamping element is installed on the walking mechanism.On position shelf, be provided with and be used for clamping element is locked onto the locational device that requires.

Especially pointed out to make the present invention to have the various characteristics of novelty belonging to the present invention and form in claims of the present invention part.For the service advantages of understanding the present invention better and reaching when using, with reference to the accompanying drawing and the explanation (forming a part of the present invention) that wherein preferred embodiment of the present invention are described.

Description of drawings

In the accompanying drawing that forms a part of the present invention, label shown in it is represented similar or corresponding parts in the whole accompanying drawing.

Fig. 1 is a front view of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a planimetric map of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is the enlarged view that indicates the zone among Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is the enlarged view that indicates the zone among Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is the front view that is similar to Fig. 3, shows the scope of removable clamping element.

Fig. 6 is the positive view of being pointed out by Fig. 4 center line 6-6.

Fig. 7 and 8 illustrates the present invention's front view when diverse location of its removable clamping element operation in operation.

Embodiment

The present invention totally indicates with label 10 in Fig. 1.Improved position shelf 10 generally includes the removable clamping element 16 on part 14 of changing a social system on position shelf 12, the position shelf 12 and the part 14 of transformation of the way.

Position shelf 12 common cross sections triangular in shape, it is typical in industry, as to be provided for installing clamping element 18 desired intensity and device.Clamping element 18 is with respect to the length fix in position of position shelf 12.Clamping

element

16 and 18 can extend along the longitudinal axis (with respect to position shelf 12 radially) of clamping element, is used for coming as required the position of clamping pipeline 20 (Fig. 7 and 8) or adjusting pipeline 20 with on new pipe coupling being welded to existing pipeline the time.

As Fig. 4-6 the clearest illustrating, the part 14 of the transformation of the way is provided with the length that is used for along transformation of the way part 14 and moves the device 22 with fixed clamping piece 16.Different possible position in Fig. 5 illustrates removable clamping element 16.The device 22 that is used for moving with fixed clamping piece 16 comprises top rail 24, gearing 26 (being preferably rack pinion), brake unit 28 and locking framework 30.

Replace the triangle in the standard setting frame, the part 14 of the transformation of the way is a rectangle.Gearing 26 is installed on the top rail 24 of part 14 of the transformation of the way.The top of removable clamping element 16 fits in gearing 26 movably and makes that removable clamping element 16 is mobile on gearing 26 along the longitudinal axis of the part 14 of the transformation of the way when gearing 26 rotates.

As the clearest the illustrating of sectional view institute of Fig. 6, locking framework 30 comprises the lower tracks 32 on the transformation of the way part 14, and the part 14 of the transformation of the way is provided with a plurality of holes 34 along the length of lower tracks.In the bottom of clamping element 16, can make the guide finge (not shown) be easy to aim at the stop pin (not shown).Under the situation that brake unit 28 can not correctly be worked, guide finge also increases the redundancy supporting to clamping element 16.The stop pin (not shown) inserts on the hole pass on the removable clamping element 16 and the lower tracks desired hole 34 clamping element is locked in desired position.Brake unit 28 is arranged on the upper end of clamping element 16 and institute that the top of clamping element 16 is remained on the gearing 26 requires on the position.

During work, removable clamping element 16 is unclamped and moves on gearing 26 through transmitting gear device 26, be in desired position up to clamping element 16.Use brake unit 28 tops to lock onto on the gearing, and will sell hole 34 and clamping element 16 on the lower tracks 32 of inserting the part 14 of passing the transformation of the way being locked on the position at lower tracks 32 places in the bottom of the clamping element 16 at lower tracks 32 places with clamping element 16.Use removable clamping element 16 and fixed clamping piece 18 clamping pipe sections then, shown in Fig. 7 and 8.Fig. 7 and 8 illustrates removable clamping element 16 and is in along on the diverse location of the part 14 of the transformation of the way of position shelf 10.

The present invention provides the several advantages that are superior to the existing technology fixed clamping device.

The clamping element of advancing can be operated the pipeline of wide range length and not have the loss of operating efficiency on almost vertical pipe laying device.This can locate along the selection of the longitudinal axis of pipe coupling through clamping element and realize.

Clamping element engagement/the disengagement of advancing is designed so that the needed time of clamp device is minimum.

Advance and clamp the engagement disengaging gear and be designed for failsafe operation (that is, need not hydraulic fluid is pressed or aerodynamic force is kept engagement) in pipe laying operation period.

Rack pinion is provided for moving/locate the clamping element of advancing along grip track.

Through will be used for throwing off/move/location needed time of clamping element of advancing remains to minimum overall cycle time of the efficient of keeping again.The controller of locating and cooperating to the retaining member that is used to advance carries out remote operation.

The clamping element of advancing can be handled the pipe coupling that increases length range, and does not have the loss of operating efficiency.Through allowing to increase the duct length scope, reduce the cost of supply line length, reduce the overall cost of project thus.

Although below illustrated and described specific embodiment of the present invention and/or details is explained the application of the principles of the present invention; Be to be understood that the present invention can as in claims more fully as described in; Or implement as alternate manner well known by persons skilled in the art (comprise any with all coordinates), and do not deviate from these principles.

Claims

1. position shelf that is used for clamping and movement pipeline, this position shelf have locational a plurality of pipeline clamping elements of opening along the intervals of lengths of said position shelf, and said position shelf comprises:

The part of the transformation of the way on a. said position shelf;

B. fixing tube clamping element, it is installed to fixed position on the said position shelf extending along the longitudinal axis of said pipeline clamping element; And

C. removable pipeline clamping element, it is installed on the part of the said transformation of the way can extend along the longitudinal axis of said pipeline clamping element and can move along the length of the longitudinal axis of the part of the said transformation of the way;

Wherein, On the head rail of the part of the said transformation of the way, gearing is installed, the top of said removable pipeline clamping element fits in said gearing movably and makes that said removable pipeline clamping element is mobile on said gearing along the longitudinal axis of the part of the said transformation of the way when said gearing rotates.

2. position shelf as claimed in claim 1; It is characterized in that; Also comprise being used for said removable pipeline clamping element is fixed to the locational brake unit that requires along the partial-length of the said transformation of the way, said brake unit be positioned at said removable pipeline clamping element the upper end and with the top of said removable pipeline clamping element remain on the said gearing require on the position.

3. position shelf as claimed in claim 2; It is characterized in that; Also comprise the locking framework that is used for fixing said removable pipeline clamping element; Said locking framework comprises the lower tracks on the part of the said transformation of the way, and the part of the said transformation of the way is provided with a plurality of holes along the length of said lower tracks, and the hole of hole and the said requirement on the said lower tracks that stop pin inserts said removable pipeline clamping element is to be locked in said removable pipeline clamping element on the desired position.